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Goldfish rescued from 7ft deep well
The goldfish is now being cared for until a new home can be found for him.

The RSPCA came to the rescue of the lonely fish.

RSPCA Cymru received quite a shock recently when it was called to rescue a goldfish who was stuck 7ft down a well in Newport, Wales.

The goldfish was lucky to have even been noticed, because the property he was found at had been vacant, and was being sold at auction. He may not have been noticed at all, had a member of the public not thought to lift the well cover and take a look inside! 

When the member of the public lifted the well cover, they found the goldfish inside, 7ft down and completely alone. They contacted the RSPCA for help, and Inspector Claire Davey attended the scene to rescue him. 

Claire said: “We were given permission by the landowner and the estate agents to collect the fish but we have no idea how this little fella got there. It’s a complete mystery!

“The well was 7ft deep and it was quite difficult to catch the little fish and bring him to safety due to the depth and poor visibility but finally I managed to reach him with my reach and rescue pole - after about 30 minutes!
“Who knows what could have happened to this fish if he had not been spotted. It is unlikely that the fish would have survived for long there. I scooped him out and took him to the safety of a tank where he will be looked after until we can find him a lovely new home.”

The RSPCA have offered some tips on caring for goldfish, including:

  • make sure you know what space, depth and surface area of water is needed for the number and size of your fish
  • find out about what food your fish will eat, and how often and how much they will need it
  • get to know your goldfish to help spot signs of something being wrong, and if in doubt, ask your vet.

It is unclear how the goldfish came to be down the well, but he is now being cared for properly until he finds a new forever home. 

For more information on the RSCPA, or to support their mission, visit their website at rspca.org.uk/getinvolved

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.